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Amplification characteristics of the Hearing Aid Program in AirPods Pro 2
Ko Hentona1, Daisuke Suzuki2, Ayaka Sasaki3
1Department of Otolaryngology, Saiseikai Utsunomiya Hospital, Utsunomiya, Japan; Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
Auris, Nasus, Larynx
|August 3, 2026
Summary
The AirPods Pro 2 hearing aid program offers listening support with automatic gain adjustments, but its performance differs from traditional hearing aid targets. Further research is needed to define its clinical role.
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Biomedical Engineering
- Consumer Electronics
Background:
- AirPods Pro 2 received regulatory approval as a Class II medical device in Japan.
- It features a self-administered hearing assessment and a hearing assistance program.
- Unlike prescription hearing aids, its amplification uses proprietary algorithms and is not publicly disclosed.
Purpose of the Study:
- Characterize the level-dependent real-ear insertion gain (REIG) of the AirPods Pro 2 Hearing Aid Program.
- Compare the device's gain characteristics with NAL-NL2 and DSL v5 prescriptive targets.
Main Methods:
- Five audiometric profiles were programmed into the AirPods Pro 2.
- Real-ear measurements were conducted on 10 adult volunteers.
- REIG was measured at 50, 65, and 80 dB SPL input levels.
Main Results:
- REIG varied by audiometric profile and input level.
- Gain increased in mid- and high-frequencies and decreased with higher input levels.
- Measured REIG was generally lower than prescriptive targets with less frequency variation.
Conclusions:
- The AirPods Pro 2 Hearing Aid Program provides nonlinear, level-dependent amplification.
- Its gain characteristics differ from conventional targets, prioritizing listening support and output control.
- The clinical role of such consumer-oriented hearing devices requires further investigation.
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